This bill amends the definition of "recovery house" in RSA 153:10-d, II, changing it from a "residence" to a "primarily non-transient dwelling or dwelling unit." The new definition emphasizes that a recovery house provides a substance-free living environment for individuals in recovery from addiction, living as a single household, and centered on peer support and access to recovery services. Additionally, the bill specifies that recovery housing does not include boarding houses, rooming houses, halfway houses, or any other licensed facilities under RSA 151.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new paragraph to RSA 674:17, which mandates that recovery houses located within single-family, two-family, or multi-family structures be treated as such in zoning ordinances. This means they will not be subject to additional permitting or approval processes that are not required for similar residential uses. The bill also outlines that recovery houses must be certified or actively pursuing certification and requires operators to notify local governing bodies 30 days before beginning operations. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 153:10-d, 674:17